There is more to building your online business than simply marketing it on the internet. A good offline marketing plan can be just as effective as, sometimes even more so, an online marketing plan. Offline marketing is more targeted, unlike online marketing where, as a business owner, you are competing with many other businesses within your niche.
Here are 10 ideas for marketing your online business offline for positive results.
1. Print Company Business Cards, Flyers, and Letterheads
Business cards can legitimize an online venture. Put all contact information on the business cards including your website's URL, e-mail and snail mail addresses. Hand out business cards whenever an opportunity presents itself.
2. Learn to Self Market
Take the opportunity to clearly define the nature of your business when asked. Be specific when explaining exactly what you do using specific terminologies. Instead of saying, "I sell clothes on eBay" be specific and say, "I run an online store specializing in gently used children's clothing."
3. Create an Informal Network
Start with your family and friends. Take the time to explain to them the nature of your business. Word of mouth marketing is an affordable way to spread information about your company. Join a local civic group and sponsor local events such as a tee ball team for local coverage.
4. Advertise Your Website within Your Community
There are many local places to advertise your online business. Start with a local newspaper or regional publication. Flyers at community events or on community bulletin boards can drum up business from your neighborhood. This takes your message directly to the consumers.
5. Business Related Networking Locally
Join the local Chamber of Commerce to expand your business network. This puts your name out into the business community. Join relevant trade associations and attend conferences or meetings in order to add people to your business network.
6. Use Snail Mail
Send out a mailing to a directed group of people who may be interested in your business. Include all your contact information (don't forget your website) and a brochure that includes information about your business.
7. Set up Coupon Codes
Hand out coupons that are only redeemable at your business website. Offer incentives to invite potential offline customers to your website. Incentives include exclusive online deals such as a "buy one get one free" deal or holding an online competition or contest.
8. Promotional Items
Have T-shirts, hooded sweatshirts, or baseball caps made up with your company logo and URL address. Hand them out to family members. Bookmarks and pens printed with your company information are also an inexpensive marketing tool. Leave them at your local library, bookstores, restaurants and coffee shops.
9. Use Your Car as an Advertising Board
People notice magnetic stickers on cars. These magnetic stickers are affordable marketing gimmicks that get noticed every time you go out, even if it is just to the grocery store. Your target customers need food too after all.
10. Buy Time on Local Cable Stations
This strategy is surprisingly affordable and effective. In some areas, cable TV stations have a community channel where you can advertise an upcoming event that will promote your business. If these are not affordable options, create a press release to get an interview on a radio station or newspaper.
Offline marketing can help establish your businesses base. Take advantage of the personal contact involved in this kind of marketing. If you are unsure of your marketing skills, find a marketing class or read a book that will help you learn about new and innovative ways to market your online company offline.
Affiliate program commissions can mean the difference between your business either sinking or swimming. For one thing, there is no limit to the money you can gain from using affiliate programs. Best of all, establishing an affiliate marketing business is extremely simple and costs little to no money.
When you embark on an affiliate marketing business, you link to other websites that sell products or services your site visitors would be interested in. Use the following five tips to help find the perfect affiliate products and services to promote in conjunction with your current business.
1) When you sign up to promote other products or services make sure you know exactly what the program owner offers. Don't just sign up to promote something because everyone else is. For instance, if you sell craft supplies, don't promote internet marketing products. That is unless, you are in the business of showing others how to start their own online craft business.
2) This step may seem obvious, but it is hugely important! Find affiliate programs that match your business topic or niche. That is, if you run a cleaning service business, link to a merchant who sells cleaning products. Concentrating your affiliate promotions will reap you many more sales than linking to generalized programs that offer everything under the sun. While sites like Amazon are fairly easy to promote, they may not be the best option depending on your specific circumstances and customer. This brings me to tip number 3.
3) Know your market. You should already know some of the things your target visitor or customer wants. Find products that fill a need for your customers. Take time to research by asking questions, sending out surveys, and visiting sites where these people hang out to find out exactly what their needs are and then find a program that offers the solution if you don't already in your own business.
4) Know the different types of affiliate programs out there and find ones that fit your income goals. For instance, some affiliate programs pay you when you send someone to their site that in turn signs up for a freebie or joins a mailing list. Others pay affiliates only when they refer a sale. Some payout each month regardless of how much or how little your commissions, while others only pay once affiliates reach a certain amount.
5) As you scout for affiliate programs online, do your best to find out if the company is legitimate. When in doubt, go with the affiliate program that has been in business longer. Also be wary of websites that charge you for joining their affiliate program. Affiliate programs should cost nothing for signing up because they will generate steady money for both the merchant and the affiliate (if the affiliate matches the business). Search for affiliate program directories that rate online affiliates from best to worst.
Affiliate marketing is a great way to add income to your current business. It can also be done by itself and built into a very profitable business all by itself. No matter which way you choose, be sure to do your research, know your customers and promote only quality products that you feel comfortable promoting. Don't just endorse something to make a buck - it will show in your promotions if you do.
Related Articles: How Affiliate Programs Work
posted by Chris Simpson
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